Macao is an amazing country known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. To help plan your trip within your budget, our travel cost guide has everything you need for your journey. With tips and prices for hotels, food, activities, and transit, you can enjoy every moment without worrying about your budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Macao?
You should plan to spend around $160 (MOP1,281) per day on your vacation in Macao. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $35 (MOP281) on meals
- $0.59 (MOP4.68) on local transportation
- $228 (MOP1,824) on hotels
A one week trip to Macao for two people costs, on average, $2,241 (MOP17,934). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
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One Week
Per person
$1,121
MOP8,967
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,241
MOP17,934
-
One Month
Per person
$4,802
MOP38,430
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,241
MOP17,934
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,482
MOP35,868
-
One Month
For a couple
$9,605
MOP76,860
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Macao cost?
A one week trip to Macao usually costs around $1,121 (MOP8,967) for one person and $2,241 (MOP17,934) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Macao on average costs around $2,241 (MOP17,934) for one person and $4,482 (MOP35,868) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Macao will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Macao on average costs around $4,802 (MOP38,430) for one person and $9,605 (MOP76,860) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Macao expensive to visit?
Macao is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Asia, Macao is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Japan or Singapore.
Macao boasts a wide variety of attractions and accommodations, catering to visitors with different budgets and travel styles. Affordable hotels are available for budget travelers, but there are also luxury hotels for those with deeper pockets, and plenty of mid-range hotels for couples and families.
Sure, Macao can cost a lot, but with smart choices like eating at less expensive restaurants and enjoying free activities, you can stretch your budget further.
On average, budget travelers spend $132 (MOP1,062) per person per day, mid-range travelers spend $159 (MOP1,281) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $222 (MOP1,788) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Macao.
For more details, see Is Macao Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Macao?
The average Macao trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Macao travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Macao cost?
Macao on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$114
(MOP912)
|
$114
(MOP912)
|
$114
(MOP912)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$0.46
(MOP3.69)
|
$0.59
(MOP4.68)
|
$0.82
(MOP6.57)
|
|
Food 2
|
$14
(MOP115)
|
$35
(MOP281)
|
$82
(MOP655)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$4.26
(MOP34)
|
$11
(MOP90)
|
$31
(MOP246)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to have a grounded and realistic perspective on your budget. While many believe they can travel as "budget" travelers on a mere $132 a day like a backpacker, the reality is that most people struggle to enjoy that style of travel. Consider what makes you happy and how you've traveled before. Do you prefer the comfort of resorts, the convenience of vacation rentals, or the simple camaraderie of hostels? Is dining out a top priority for you? Do you plan to visit the major attractions? Your answers to these questions will certainly impact your overall travel budget.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
Many people might hear that you can explore Macao for just $132 a day, but if you're not ready to sacrifice some comforts, be prepared to spend quite a bit more.
Backpackers often manage to stick to this tight budget, but it usually means sleeping in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest eateries or grabbing fast food, relying on public transport or walking everywhere, and limiting themselves to free attractions.
Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?
If you're traveling as a couple or family, you'll probably want to stay in a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular restaurants, and visit major museums and attractions that require entry fees. You'll want to visit the major attractions, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do come with a price tag. With that in mind, you should realistically plan for a daily budget of about $159 per person.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
For a trip filled with top-notch service and every possible comfort, expect your budget to reach around $222 per day, per person. Staying in high-end accommodations, enjoying gourmet meals, going on lavish adventures, and hiring personal drivers comes with a luxury price tag. You'll be in the company of the wealthy in locations like the major cities and resort areas.
Accommodation Budget in Macao
Macao has a wide range of accommodation prices, and it can be surprising how much prices fluctuate. Budget hotels can often be much cheaper than higher-end places, and during peak season, everything costs much more. For a better deal, try visiting in the low season, and book early to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Macao for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $228 (MOP1,824). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $114 (MOP912) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Macao? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Macao
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $0.59 (MOP4.68) per person, per day, on local transportation in Macao. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Macao is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$0.59
MOP4.68
The numbers below highlight common transportation expenses in Macao, gathered from actual travelers. These prices give a good estimate of what you're likely to spend while getting around the city. However, your personal costs will depend on your travel style, since taxis and hired cars tend to be much pricier than public transportation.
-
Local Bus (for Two)
MOP8.00
Food Budget in Macao
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Macao can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Macao is $35 (MOP281) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$35
MOP281
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Macao is about $35 (MOP281) per person. Previous travelers have typically spent from $14 to $81 per day. Generally, breakfast and lunch will cost less than dinner, but that will vary based on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Macao are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $10
- Lunch: $5 to $17
- Dinner: $12 to $28
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
Despite Macau's Portuguese history, it can be difficult to find authentic Portuguese food away from the high end restaurants. Instead, stick to the Macanese and Chinese cuisines, which are excellent and ubiquitous. In general Macanese food has been influenced by the Portuguese and Chinese as well as African and Southeast Asian traders.
Pato de Cabidela: This is a traditional Portuguese dish that can be found at a variety of restaurants in Macau. It is a stew that is made of chicken with blood and herbs. It is usually served with rice. Although it sounds a little intimidating, it's actually quite good.
Galinha a Portuguesa: Although the name, Portuguese-style chicken, makes you believe it has Portuguese origins, this dish is actually completely Macanese. It is a chicken that is served with a coconut curry and it can be found throughout the city.
Beef Jerky: Beef Jerky can be found on the street that leads up to the Ruins of St. Paul. There are vendors around who will gladly hand out free samples. Make sure you try it before you buy, as the quality can vary. In general, this jerky is more moist and fresh than most jerky outside of Macau.
Traveling with kids? Check for restaurants that offer a childrens menu. It's a smart way to save money, as these meals are often more reasonably priced. And remember, some eateries don't advertise their kids' options, so asking the waiter is a good idea.
Many hotels offer complimentary breakfast, but some charge extra for this service. Prices and quality can vary based on the hotel. Being informed in advance can help you decide whether to indulge in a lavish hotel buffet or simply visit a nearby bakery or café that may offer cheaper options.
Choose to carry a water bottle instead of constantly purchasing drinks. It's a win for both your wallet and the environment.
When arranging for a tour, be sure to confirm which meals are included ahead of time. There may be some meals you'll need to pay for yourself, which could add to your overall costs.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Macao
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Macao typically cost an average of $11 (MOP90) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$11
MOP90
Listed below are some typical prices for attractions, activities, and entry fees in Macao, sourced from actual travelers. These costs give you an idea of how much you might spend. However, your personal expenses will depend on the activities you choose, the museums or landmarks you visit, and how frequently you opt for free or low-cost options.
Traveling in Macao
Macau
Located in China, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and one of the world's most densely populated regions. Until 1999 it remained an overseas territory of Portugal. It sits across from Hong Kong, along the Pearl River Estuary. Because it was so recently relinquished as a colony, it still has a significant amount of visible colonial history. The old city still looks very European, which you can see during a walking tour. Despite this architectural influence, the majority of the city's population is native Chinese.
In addition to the city itself, Macau also includes the islands of Taipa and Coloane. These islands are connected to Macau by bridges, and they are connected to each other by a causeway. This causeway is known as the Cotai Strip. Taipa has a major residential area and also houses Macau's international airport. Coloane is less developed and has mountainous terrain. There are a couple of beaches and a few hiking trails you can explore. There is also a resort and golf course. Cotai Strip is where you will find many of Macau's casinos. Many of these are large and western in style.
Macau's climate is subtropical and the summers are hot but the winters are mild. Mid-summer to autumn is typhoon season and a major typhoon can shut down the city. It is best to plan your visit accordingly.
At A Glance
- Gambling is the biggest revenue source for Macua. Visitors from both mainland China and Hong Kong make their way to the city to try their luck at the casinos. In the past, Casino Lisboa was the most famous casino in town, but the Sands Casino has quickly gained a reputation since its opening in 2004. You'll find most of the casinos along the waterfront on the southern side of Macau Peninsula. In 2007 the Venetian Macao, the largest casino in the world, opened here, and it has been followed by several other new additions.
- Most people enjoy exploring the Macau Peninsula on foot. The city is very compact and easy to walk through. There's a pedestrian sidewalk on most streets but like many cities in China, the sidewalk can get quite crowded. The streets don't seem to be laid out in the most obvious pattern so you are likely to get lost. This is always part of the fun though. If you find yourself in Cotai, it is not advisable that you walk though as the streets are long with no real sights aside from the fronts of hotels.
- Macau's official languages are Cantonese and Portuguese. Cantonese is the most frequently spoken language and Mandarin is much less common. Those who work in the tourism industry will likely speak a decent amount of Mandarin and some will speak decent English as well. Do take note though that English is not as widely spoken in Macau as it is in Hong Kong. Portuguese is no longer taught in schools so it is rarely spoken by locals. It is often on signs and maps.
- The pataca is the official currency of Macau. It is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar and many places accept both the pataca and the Hong Kong dollar. It is virtually impossible to exchange patacas for any other currency outside of Macau, even in Hong Kong so make sure you spend or exchange any extra money before leaving the city.
- There is free wireless internet access throughout the city. The system is known as the wifigo system and you can also use the encrypted service wifigo-s. The username is "wifigo" and the password is "wifigo".
Related:
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Traveling alone to Beijing or Hong Kong or want to party in Shanghai?
Top Tourist Attractions
Rua da Tercena: This street is located near St Paul's Cathedral behind Senado Square. It's a little out of the way so it avoids some of the tourist crowds but still offers unique art, architecture and flea markets. It has a great character and is a wonderful place to take a stroll.
Macau Heritage Walk: A large part of the Macau Peninsula has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best way to explore it is by doing the Macau Heritage Walk. This walk will take you by many of the historic buildings, the Sao Paulo Cathedral, the Fort and the Macau Museum.
Bodhisatta Avalokitesvara: This statue is an interesting combination of Chinese and European cultures. It's located next to the sea near the Sands Casino and MGM Grand and it shows a Chinese deity in a distinctly European design that can even be compared to statues of the Virgin Mary in Europe.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.